ann25004 — Announcement

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31 January 2025
Public Vote Names Quasi-Moon Cardea After Roman Goddess of Thresholds

Last year, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the award-winning science podcast, Radiolab, teamed up to give the world a chance to name a quasi-moon – a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) that appears to orbit the Earth like a moon. The NEA was originally discovered in 2004 and provisionally designated 2004 GU9. Following a global public vote, it has now been named 164207 Cardea, after the Roman goddess of hinges and thresholds.

After receiving nearly 3000 name submissions from more than 90 countries, a panel of astronomy researchers, communicators, educators, and students gathered to select seven finalists. Following the IAU naming convention, these names were of mythological origin, stemming from Aztec, Filipino, and Estonian cultures, among others. More than 10,000 people worldwide participated in a popular vote to select the official name from the shortlisted contenders.

On 13 January 2025, the IAU Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN), the IAU body responsible for confirming names of objects like asteroids, announced the winner of the competition: Cardea. This name, inspired by the Roman goddess of door hinges and thresholds, can be thought to represent objects in transition.

This name was submitted by Clay Chilcutt, a university student in the United States. Of his submission, he wrote, “A quasi-moon occupies a unique orbital path, existing in a transitional state between a true moon and an independent asteroid. [Cardea] symbolises change, guardianship, and the passage between realms. This name reflects the quasi-moon's unique orbital path, embodying a celestial gateway between Earth and space.” 

The name and description were made official in a publication of the WGSBN Bulletin 5 #1, available on the working group’s website. 

“Global projects such as this are the cornerstone of our work at the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach: bringing together global communities, cultures, and perspectives,” said Kelly Blumenthal, Director of the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach. “We are proud to build on the IAU’s legacy of engaging people worldwide with the science of astronomy in new and creative ways.”

With this collaboration, the IAU and Radiolab affirmed their commitment to encourage everyone to tap into their curiosity and explore the Universe that surrounds us. Latif Nasser, Co-Host of Radiolab, writes, “We hope that this quasi-moon name continues to inspire people to learn more about space and science in general, to look up together to remember the universal things we all share.”

More information

The IAU is the international astronomical organization that brings together more than 12,000 active professional astronomers from more than 100 countries worldwide. Its mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education, and development, through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world's largest professional body for astronomers.

Radiolab is a public radio show and podcast from WNYC Studios. WNYC (a non-profit, non-commercial public media organisation based in the US.) is New York’s public radio station, broadcasting and streaming award-winning journalism, groundbreaking audio programming and essential talk radio to the city and beyond. WNYC is a leading member station of NPR and broadcasts programs from the BBC World Service, along with a roster of WNYC-produced programs. Radiolab takes listeners on a curiosity bender, asking deep questions and using investigative journalism to get the answers. A given episode might whirl you through science, legal history, and into the home of someone halfway across the world. The show is hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser. Founded in 2002, Radiolab has been named one of “10 non-fiction podcasts that changed everything,” “revolutionary” and a pioneer in narrative sound design (Vulture) and has been honoured with two Peabody Awards. Radiolab was ranked among the top 50 U.S. podcasts by Edison Research in 2024.

Links

Contacts

Kelly Blumenthal
IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach Director
Email: blumenthal.kelly@oao.iau.org 

Gareth V. Williams
Secretary of Executive Committee WG Small Bodies Nomenclature (SBN)
Email: iau.wgsbn@gmail.com 

Lina Canas
IAU Membership Coordinator
Email: lina.canas@iau.org / iaupressoffice@iau.org 

Laura Hiscott
IAU Press Office Editor
Email: iaupressoffice@iau.org 

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